Current Project: Providence School

The pilot project of the Providence Educational Foundation, Providence, is very successfully modeling a school which incorporates all the values and goals of the PEF. The school is very strong academically and committed to the historic Christian faith. Providence serves students of all faiths and those with no faith, respecting the rich diversity of the community. Providence does not teach students what to think, but how to think and develop critical and independent thinking skills. Approximately 67% of Providence students receive some form of tuition assistance. Every graduate is accepted into a four-year college or university.

Providence Hall, the pilot school, opened its doors in September 2007 with seven faculty members and 25 students. A portion of the beautiful Notre Dame School in historic downtown Santa Barbara was leased as the campus.

Providence Hall received full accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges in March 2009. The school offers a complete curriculum based on a core humanities program, mathematics, natural sciences, foreign languages, theater, visual art, music, physical education, foundations of the Christian faith, and numerous co-curricular activities such as community service opportunities, field trips, outdoor pursuits, concerts, and retreats. By its fourth year, Providence Hall tripled its enrollment to 75 students.

In December 2010 the Board of Directors announced the addition of grades seven and eight for the 2011-2012 academic year, expanding the educational opportunities for Santa Barbara-area families. Since adding the middle school program, enrollment has grown to 90 students.

In July 2013 Providence Hall merged with Santa Barbara Christian School to form a seamless preschool-grade 12 educational institution. In July 2018 another merger integrated El Montecito School San Roque.

Providence faculty members have been carefully recruited and selected on the basis of personal character and Christian commitment, as well as being highly-skilled teachers who are well educated and passionate about the students they teach. They have joined Providence because they are committed to our distinctive mission. They understand their significant responsibility to be role models and mentors, and develop strong bonds with students in and out of the classroom. Currently, the school has 51 faculty members, with a teacher to student ratio of approximately 1:8.

A staff of four full-time and three part-time administrators are also carefully recruited and selected on the basis of skills, character, and Christian commitment. They are just as passionate about the students as are the teachers, and seek to lead by example in all their interactions with each other, with faculty, and with students.

All this growth and expansion led to the need for a larger campus. During the summer of 2011, the Upper School (grades 7-12) l relocated to its current leased campus at 630 East Canon Perdido Street, still in downtown Santa Barbara. The new campus provides additional access to field space, a gymnasium, and art and music rooms. It features a courtyard under a canopy of trees with tables for eating lunches and socializing, as well as an outdoor classroom area. Preschool – 6th grade is housed on an idyllic leased campus at 3225 Calle Pinon in Santa Barbara. The campuses are three miles apart.

The goal is for Providence to grow to 600 students on a permanent, state-of-the-art campus. An interactive learning program is being developed, featuring 1:1 Ipad-based instructional technology. While anticipating and encouraging this growth and expansion, the school will always maintain its commitment to a dedicated college-preparatory curriculum, small class sizes, and plenty of individual attention for every student.

Providence Lower School Introduction:

Providence Upper School Introduction:

Schools we Support

Contact Us

Providence Education Foundation

Providence

27 W. Anapamu, No. 144
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: 805-962-3091

Head of School

Dr. Tim Loomer

Head of School

Thank you for considering how you may partner with Providence through the Providence Educational Foundation. Your contributions are having a significant impact on the lives of our students and their families.

I invite you to explore Providence, a school where young people are encouraged every day as they interact with teachers of significant Christian faith and character and a curriculum that challenges their mind, heart, and soul.